Folding ornament



- March 22,1927. l 1,621,703

s. s. ADAMS J f i u/f r1 March 22, 1927. l 1,621,703

S. S. ADAMS FOLDING ORNAMENT Filed. June 4. 1925 3 Sheets-snee?l 2 1,621,703 March 229 s. s. ADAMS /y FOLDING ORNAMENT Filed 'June 4, 1.925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: @new 5T Maia/m5;

gj' BY J A TTRNEYS.

Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

SOREN S. ADAMS, F ASBURY lARK, NEW 'ElitEY.

FOLDING ORNAMENT.

Application filed June 4, 1925.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in ornaments, and, the present invention has reference, more particularly, to that class of folding ornaments, such as are made of paper, and which are ornamental in effect, being used more especially for holiday decorations, usually in the form of colored paper spheres, bells, and the like.

Ornaments of the character above stated lusually comprise a pair of hingedly connected discs or members, usually of a semicircular or other desired marginal configuration, to which is suitably attached the paperornament, arranged in a manner, so that when the discs are brought side by side, the paper-ornament is opened out in a manner to produce a complete sphere, or other ornamental ligure, and that when the hinged discs are brought into a closed relation, the paper-ornament is also closed up and is embraced by the two hinged discs.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a novel folding ornament of the decorative type hereinafter more fully set forth, and in which the hinged portions of the ornament, carrying discs or members are spring-actuated, so that the hinged discs are automatically brought into their opened out relation, and in close contact with each other, so that the paper-ornament in that instance will produce a perfect ligure, such as a sphere, bell, or the like.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time more particiilarly enumerated will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the present invention. i

With the various objects of the present invention in View, the said invention consists, primarily, in the novel decorative ornament hereinafter set forth; and, the said invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements of the several parts of the ornament, as well as in the details of the construction of the said parts, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claims which are appended to and which form an essential part ofthe said specification.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which z- Figure l is an elevation of a decorative ornament in sphere-form, showing one embodiment of the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of Serial No. 34,872.

the same, showing the vided discs in an opened-out relation, and said view illustrating more particularly one construction of spring-controlled hinge-connection between the said discs; and Figure 3 is a view of the ornament, showingione of the hinged discs of the ornament in elevation, and the other disc being shown in end or edge-view.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to Figure 2, showing the discs of the ornament provided with modified forms of hinge-connections.

Figure 7 is another View, similar to said Figure 2, showing the discs of the ornament provided with another modified form of hinge-connection; Figure 8 is a view,.showing fragmentary portions of the disc, when looking at the reverse sides of the discs represented in said Figure 7 and Figure 9 is a sectional representation, taken on line 4,9--9 in said Figure 7, the hinged discs being shown in a position at right angles to each other.

Figure 10 is another view, similar to said Figure 2, showing still another modified construction of spring-controlled hinge-connection. Y

Similar characters of reference are employed in the said above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now more particularly to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference-character l indicates a complete decorative ornament made according to and embodying the principles of the present invention, the device here shown being of a spheri- 1al configuration, when the several parts are arranged in the manner indicated in Figure il.. As shown, the device consists of a pair of semi-circular, or other suitably shaped discs or members, as 2 and 8, which are suitably connected along their marginal edge-portions 4; and 5, so as to be adapted to be folded upon each other, by means of suitable hinge-members 6 and 7. In practice, these discs 2 and 3 are usually lmade from card-board, and the hinge-members 6 and 7 may be made of paper, linen, or other suitable fabric, suitably secured to the said discs by means of glue, mucilage, or paste, as will be evident. Instead of making the discs 2 and 8 of card-board, the discs may be made of thin metal, such as tin, in which case the hinge-members may also be made of metal. Suitably attached to and covering paper-ornament proy the opposite or outer face-portions of the said discs is the ornamental of decorative element or member 8 of the device, the being made of colored paper and being "colL lapsible or foldable in the manner usual in devices of this kind, the general coniigiira- Vtion of the member 8 being of acellular,

honey-comb, or accordionllike 'e'eh `'as ivill be evident from fan inspection of said Figure 1.'

lfn connection iv'itli the hinged porti the dises 2 is einplo' v in'eans, the purpose of which 1. to au oniatically force the hinged dises troni an o e'ie`d out relation, shown in Figiires 2 'and 3 Qi the drawings, into their cl sed relation, adjacent to each other, whereby the descrittive element 8 assumes a position, such is illustrated in Figure 1. Y y

rChe torsion-means iis'ed ivit'h 'the device represented in said Figures 1, 'Q and 3 consists of Ya Wire 9 providedintermediate its ends 'with a 'suitabie nuinber ot coils 1l), Which provide a spring, vaifiangejd in 'nitiibl/ Vcut away portions ligand 19 ofthe respective discs, as shown. The end-poif'iis oi the 'Wire are disposed beneath the respect/"fe hinge-ineinbers 6 and 7, and are ita v bent, as at 13 and l, to pjroi'ide hook I which 'are 'passed through the respect TLe discs 2 and E), 4to the opposite sides theieof,

for securing the said torsion-means in its operative relation to the said discs, as tvill be evident. ,Y

The arrangement of the spring across the jointbetiv'een the hinged dises 2 and 3 is such, that when the discs lare in an openedout relation, a strain is brought upon the coils 10, ivhich tends to close the 'said o lis 2 and 3 upon each other, to provide a folding ornament, such asis illustrated in Figure l oi' the drawings. l

ln lieu of thel spring-controlled hinleconstruction hereinabove described, a Atorsion-means, such as is shoivn in Figure ai of the drawings. iii-ay 'be employed.

ln the device 'there shown, the arrange nient and consti-notion oi the discs 2 and il, the hinge-'members 6 and 7, and the ornamental or decorative eleineii't 8 is the sinne as that heretofore described in connection with the devic'emillustra'ted in said Figures 1, 2 and 3. rlfhe torsion-ineens, hovvever,

' consists of a Wire 15 provided ii'iterinediate its ends With a seriesoi coils 1G., The endportions of the wire 15 are suitabl'v 'bent to provide hooks, 'as 17 and 18, vhicli are rangedbeneath and siiit'ably secured vto the respective discs 2 and 3, by ineens of suitable fasteners or staples 19 aiidQQasivill be understood from an inspection 'o'i said Figure 4. In the niodilied construction, 'shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, a straight spring ivii'e 2l is einp'loyed, the interine'dia'tely disposed coils in this construction being dispensed vvith. The erd'fpertioris of this Wire Q1 ina`y also beV suitably bent t'o provide hooks, as 22 and 23, which are arranged beneath andsuitably secured to the respective discs 2 and 3, by :rneans of suit-able fasteners oi; staples 24 and 25, as shown.

Referringnow to the construction represented in Figure 6 oi' the drawings, two discs 26 and 27 are employed, these discs be- Ainade 'frein shiV`IL instal. Nar'uo'ne end "of Ithe m'a'rgilial edge 28,ti1e disc 26 is pro'- iridfed with a hingeear 29, and at its other end, a cut-away portion 'or recess 3l) is provided. In fa siinilai" inainieif,l the disc 27 is provided its l'nargiiial 'edge 31 ivi'tlr a. hm' "ear 32 adapted to registeil with the ent-away pel-tt 051- ieeess s i edge si being alsoprovi'ded ivith a cut-away poi-tion "or recess into which the hingeear Q9 is adapted to be fitted. Aspring torsion Wire 41 is, inserted through Vthe said ears 29 1nd 32, the niain Vportion of said Wire locat'er betiveen the 'said ears extending directly 'across the joint 'oiined bjv the marginal edges QS and 31 ofthe Vrespective' hinged discs, as showin and the 'sai-d ,wire being pm i'fifded at its end-'portions with angnlrly 'tending retaining` ineinb'es, as and S6, held against 'the faces ot the respective discs 26 and 27 1,by suitable retaining means, as 3T and se., The operati-tirer `this, forni of 1-nani'eiit "s'l'oivn in said Figure G 'will be fully und rsto'od trein an ii p'ec'tion oi said view.

Referring now to 'the v'constru'ctio'n representedin Figures 7, S and 9 of the' drawings, tivo Vdiscs 39 and it() are employed, the disc '39 being Aorined With a pair of suitably located holes or peitfoiations 'Lil and and conneting 'slotted portion iol-ined by an "angularly bent part of `the said disc 3%),r in the forni cfa flange or lip, as 441. The other disc d() is also iforniedhwith correspondingly located holes 'or l periorat'ons 45 and 46. The hingeconnectioii iorthe tivo discs 59 iin'd Z`l() in 'this case, is an elastic band zinthe end-portions 48 and L19 of which are inserted lh the 'holes for perfor ons e5 and l-'G being secured in place by suitable retaining discs 5U, or other Yfastening means, 'and the main body-portion of the js'aid band 4T being sprung behind the said lip or flange 44, substantaly s 'shown In Figt'ire 10, I have illustrated still an lother modi'edrhinge-connection 'for the co1- lapsible discs 51 and 52 of the ornament. In this construction, the 571 is provided With a pair of perforation's 53 `and 54, andthe disc 52 is provided with correspondingly vlocated perforations 5,5 and 56. A cord 'or tape 57 'is threaded through these perorat-ions, as slhovvnl inA saidv Figr'e 10, the respective ends 58 and of'the said-cord or tape pbeing 'suitably fastened to the hook-shaped endineinbers B1 and 'G2 of a suitably 'orined spring 60, 'ade from piece of resilient wire, which is suitably maintained in its operative relat-ion upon the face of the disc 52 by a loop-shaped staple or eye 63, as shown. The operations of the forms of ornaments illustrated in said Figures 7, 8, 9 and IO of the drawings7 will be fully understood from an inspection of the several views illustrative of these two modifications of thefolding ornament.

Of course I am fully aware that the present invention is capable of many other modifications, without departing from the scope of the principles of the present invention, as set forth in the foregoing specification.

V Hence, I do not limit my present invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts, as illustrated. in the accompanying drawings.

I claim LA folding ornament, comprising a pair of body members, having straight inner edge portions disposed in adjoining edge to edge alignment, an expansible element interconnected between opposed faces of said body members, hinge means pivotally connecting said body members together at their adjoiningstraight edges, spring means cooperating with the adjoining marginal porn tions of said body members, said spring means by its tension operating to turn said body members on said hinge means to expand said expansible element, and said spring means being entirely concealed when said body members are so turned thereby.

2. A folding ornament, comprising a pair of body members having straight inner edge portions disposed in adjoining edge to edge alignment, an expansible element `intercontensions nected between opposed faces of said body members, hinge means pivotally connecting said body members together at their adjoining straight edges, a torsion spring in substantial alignment with said adjoining straight edges of said body members, anchoring means at the opposite ends of said spring respectively secured to the respective body members, said torsion spring by its tension operating to turn said body members on said hinge means to expand said expansible element, and said torsion spring being entirely concealed when said body members are so turned thereby.

3. A folding ornament, comprising a pair of body members having straight inner edge portions disposed in adjoining edge to edge alignment, an expansible element interconnected between opposed faces of said body members, hinge means pivotally connecting said body members together at their adjoining straight edges, a torsion spring in substantial alignment with said adjoining straight edges of said body members, angular extensions projecting respectively from the respective ends of said spring, said exrespectively overlying opposed faces of the respective body members, fastening means for securing said extensions against displacement yfrom said body members, said torsion spring by its tension operating to turn said body members on said hinge means to expand said expansible element, and said torsion spring being entirely concealed when said body members are so turned thereby.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 29 day of May, 1925.

SOREN S. ADAMS. 

